Published: Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 14, 2014 at 11:43 p.m.

You've been an intern for Team ECCO for quite some time. How did you first get involved with the aquarium and education center?

I first got involved with Team ECCO my senior year of high school. My junior research paper was on dolphin training, and when it came to my senior project, I needed a mentor. I had heard of Team ECCO from a good friend, and so I decided to check it out. I went down and talked to B.J. (Ramer, Team ECCO founder). She had some great ideas for my project. I also did my senior internship at the aquarium. I went for two hours a day and received school credit for being there. After my senior year of high school, I decided to go to Blue Ridge Community College and continue my internship.

Did you always have an interest in marine creatures and ecosystems?

I am actually originally from Melbourne Beach, Fla., so I grew up a block away from the beach. I have always loved the ocean and all the creatures that live in it. I have also always been a big animal person. There are so many creatures in the ocean to study and I love it all.

Ramer says that when she's not there, you're in charge. What is a typical day like for you when you're managing the aquarium?

Every day at the aquarium is different. No day is the same, and that is one of the many things that I love about it. Some days we may have leaks or we may be cleaning filters or even giving shots and first aid to tortoises. A typical day starts out with the feeding of all the animals as the guests come in. After feeding, I can either answer questions for guests, help run the front desk, or do anything else that needs to be done to the tanks.

You are studying at Blue Ridge Community College right now, but I understand you'll be transferring to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington soon. Was your interest in marine biology the main driver in that choice?

When I started high school, I originally wanted to become a pastry chef. Once I started my internship at Team ECCO, I fell more in love with the ocean and I knew I wanted to major in studying the ocean. UNC-Wilmington is one of the top schools in North Carolina for marine biology. The school is right near the beach, so it is an easy access to do research and scuba dive. The school also has an aquarium nearby, and I hope to volunteer there as well.

Of all the creatures at the aquarium, which one is your favorite?

Honestly, it is very hard to choose one animal as my favorite. I love them all, but I can narrow it down to two animals. I love the stingrays. They have their own personalities, just like little kids. They like to rub noses with me or even spit water in my face. I love being able to hand feed them and create a bond/trust with them.

My second favorite would be the tortoises. We have just received a tortoise that was hit by a car. Currently she is my favorite. She loves to be held up against my stomach because it is warm. I perform first aid every week on her and make sure her shell is healing.

Marine biology definitely has its hazards, like being stung by a ray or a jellyfish. Have you ever sustained an injury while

diving in the ocean or caring for the aquarium's creatures?

I have never received an injury from an animal in the wild, but I have in the aquarium. The animals in the aquarium never mean to bite or hurt us. Most of the time, injuries happen because they are hungry or being territorial. There is a fish called a damsel. When you get near their area in the tank, they will protect it and bite. But they don't have teeth so it doesn't hurt. B.J. refers to them as the “Chihuahuas of the sea.” I have been bitten by the turtles, but that is because their eyes are on the sides of their head so it's hard for them to see the food.

You've traveled with B.J. to Florida before. Have you ever been to the Caribbean or other tropical locales?

I have traveled with B.J. quite a few times, though most of the time we travel to Key Largo, Fla. (Clark and Ramer traveled to the Keys in June to scuba dive the coral reefs and do research.) I love traveling with Team ECCO, especially now that I am scuba certified. I hope to travel to more tropical places and be able to scuba dive.

When you're not studying or working at ECCO, what do you like to do?

When I'm not studying or working at Team ECCO, I spend time with my family or go to the pool; I love to swim. I love being outdoors in the sun, even if it's just sitting in my hammock and listening to music. Most of my days are spent at the aquarium, but that's because I love being there. I love taking care of the animals and being able to answer guests' questions. Most guests, when they come in, have no idea what most of the fish are, and that's why the volunteers and I are there. I love seeing the smiles on little kids or even adults' faces when they see the stingrays or the shark eggs.

<p><b>Got a Minute? with Kortney Clark </b></p><p><b> Age:</b> 19 </p><p><b>Occupation:</b> College student, intern at Team ECCO</p><p><b>You've been an intern for Team ECCO for quite some time. How did you first get involved with the aquarium and education center?</b></p><p>I first got involved with Team ECCO my senior year of high school. My junior research paper was on dolphin training, and when it came to my senior project, I needed a mentor. I had heard of Team ECCO from a good friend, and so I decided to check it out. I went down and talked to B.J. (Ramer, Team ECCO founder). She had some great ideas for my project. I also did my senior internship at the aquarium. I went for two hours a day and received school credit for being there. After my senior year of high school, I decided to go to Blue Ridge Community College and continue my internship. </p><p><b>Did you always have an interest in marine creatures and ecosystems? </b></p><p>I am actually originally from Melbourne Beach, Fla., so I grew up a block away from the beach. I have always loved the ocean and all the creatures that live in it. I have also always been a big animal person. There are so many creatures in the ocean to study and I love it all. </p><p><b>Ramer says that when she's not there, you're in charge. What is a typical day like for you when you're managing the aquarium?</b></p><p>Every day at the aquarium is different. No day is the same, and that is one of the many things that I love about it. Some days we may have leaks or we may be cleaning filters or even giving shots and first aid to tortoises. A typical day starts out with the feeding of all the animals as the guests come in. After feeding, I can either answer questions for guests, help run the front desk, or do anything else that needs to be done to the tanks. </p><p><b>You are studying at Blue Ridge Community College right now, but I understand you'll be transferring to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington soon. Was your interest in marine biology the main driver in that choice?</b.</p><p>When I started high school, I originally wanted to become a pastry chef. Once I started my internship at Team ECCO, I fell more in love with the ocean and I knew I wanted to major in studying the ocean. UNC-Wilmington is one of the top schools in North Carolina for marine biology. The school is right near the beach, so it is an easy access to do research and scuba dive. The school also has an aquarium nearby, and I hope to volunteer there as well.</p><p><b>Of all the creatures at the aquarium, which one is your favorite? </b></p><p>Honestly, it is very hard to choose one animal as my favorite. I love them all, but I can narrow it down to two animals. I love the stingrays. They have their own personalities, just like little kids. They like to rub noses with me or even spit water in my face. I love being able to hand feed them and create a bond/trust with them. </p><p>My second favorite would be the tortoises. We have just received a tortoise that was hit by a car. Currently she is my favorite. She loves to be held up against my stomach because it is warm. I perform first aid every week on her and make sure her shell is healing. </p><p><b>Marine biology definitely has its hazards, like being stung by a ray or a jellyfish. Have you ever sustained an injury while</p><p>diving in the ocean or caring for the aquarium's creatures?</b></p><p>I have never received an injury from an animal in the wild, but I have in the aquarium. The animals in the aquarium never mean to bite or hurt us. Most of the time, injuries happen because they are hungry or being territorial. There is a fish called a damsel. When you get near their area in the tank, they will protect it and bite. But they don't have teeth so it doesn't hurt. B.J. refers to them as the “Chihuahuas of the sea.” I have been bitten by the turtles, but that is because their eyes are on the sides of their head so it's hard for them to see the food.</p><p><b>You've traveled with B.J. to Florida before. Have you ever been to the Caribbean or other tropical locales?</b></p><p>I have traveled with B.J. quite a few times, though most of the time we travel to Key Largo, Fla. (Clark and Ramer traveled to the Keys in June to scuba dive the coral reefs and do research.) I love traveling with Team ECCO, especially now that I am scuba certified. I hope to travel to more tropical places and be able to scuba dive. </p><p><b>When you're not studying or working at ECCO, what do you like to do?</b></p><p>When I'm not studying or working at Team ECCO, I spend time with my family or go to the pool; I love to swim. I love being outdoors in the sun, even if it's just sitting in my hammock and listening to music. Most of my days are spent at the aquarium, but that's because I love being there. I love taking care of the animals and being able to answer guests' questions. Most guests, when they come in, have no idea what most of the fish are, and that's why the volunteers and I are there. I love seeing the smiles on little kids or even adults' faces when they see the stingrays or the shark eggs.</p>